Garou

The Garou's origin dates back to a time filled with darkness and anguish. The evil entity known as the Wyrm, had spun the earth into a state of turmoil. The Earth's creator, Gaia, was in dire need of aid, thus creating the Garou as her protectors. Sworn to combat the Wyrm and all of its agents, they strive to prevent the inevitable end of time. Living amongst mankind in secret, individual beliefs and cultures have divided the race across the world, thus splitting them into varying tribes. Some Garou have even become tainted by the Wyrm, leaving them marked and unable to shift from their Crinos form. As decreed by Gaia, and written in the Litany, no Garou may consume the flesh of a human. Those who taste human flesh become gradually inflicted by the Bane of Gaia, conscripting them to live as an outcast of Garou society.

The Litany

Garou Shall Not Mate With Garou; this births an abomination known as Metis.
Combat the Wyrm Wherever it Dwells and Whenever it Breeds.
Respect the Territory of Another.
Accept an Honorable Surrender.
Submission to Those of Higher Station.
Respect Those of Lower Station, for all are of Gaia.
The First Share of the Kill for Greatest in Station.
Ye Shall Not Eat the Flesh of Humans.
The Veil Shall Not Be Lifted.
Do Not Suffer Thy People to Tend Thy Sickness.
The Leader May Be Challenged At Any Time During Peace.
The Leader May Not Be Challenged During Wartime.
Ye Shall Take No Action That Causes a Caern (sacred meeting place) to Be Violated.

Not all Garou follow this list of tenets as strictly as others. Infact, some disregard it almost entirely (ie. The Bane of Gaia).

Forms

Garou have the inherent ability to shapeshift into one of two distinct forms.

Homid is the human form, completely indistinguishable from other humans in most cases.
Crinos is the monstrous form resembling a traditional werewolf, usually growing to nine feet tall and made of pure muscle. This form is what most Garou prefer to fight in. Metis are born in this form, and those who bare the Bane of Gaia are permanently restricted to it.

Garou that go to war in the realms of Belegarth only appear as Crinos form. During times of calm they can reside in Homid or Crinos form.

Auspices

Ragabash

Those born beneath the new moon are the tricksters and fools of Garou society. They challenge the Garou's traditional ways in order to help discard traditions that are outdated. Their tricks and pranks teach wisdom and humility to those who would listen. However, most Garou have little respect for the role of the Ragabash and consider them little more than pranksters. In addition, they also tend to be the assassins of the Garou, using magiks(usually stolen) to help them remain undetected.

Theurge

Those born beneath the crescent moon are the mystiks and seers of the Garou. They have a natural affinity with the spirits and can speak with them, either persuading them to join their cause or forcing them to do their bidding like sorcerers. They are often associated with healing as well.

Philodox

Those born under the half moon are the arbitrators and judges of the Garou. They are charged with keeping the traditions of the Garou. However, they also strive for balance and harmony amidst the hot tempers of Garou. They are often jacks-of-all trades and can speak with the spirits almost as well as a Theurge, yet fight just as well as an Ahroun. The Philodox are the traditional leaders of the Garou.

Galliard

Those born beneath the gibbous moon are filled with passion that bursts forth in glorious song and hot tempers. They are the warrior-bards of legend taking time out from their art to fight and from their fighting to sing rousing tales or weave intricate stories. They are often joyous and make good company, usually.

Ahroun

Those born beneath the full moon are the natural warriors of the Garou. No Garou is incompetent at fighting, but the Ahrouns excel at it. They often lead the Garou during times of war or when there are no Philodox in the pack.

Tribes

Black Furies

Composed almost entirely of female Garou, the Furies are staunch defenders of Gaia. They rage against slights done them by male society. For all their battle prowess, the Furies are a deeply mystical tribe and their rituals are mysterious and hauntingly beautiful. The only males among the Furies are Metis.

Children of Gaia

They strive for harmony between all the tribes and shun unnecessary violence. The Garou see their peace loving ways as utter foolishness and consider the Children weak. Although against most violence, they fight as fiercely as any Garou when it suits them.

Fianna

These Celtic Garou are fond of merriment and strong drink. They are often seen as drunken fools, but take their fighting just as seriously as their partying.

Get of Fenris

The Get are harsh warriors who embody the Norse ideals. They value battle prowess above all else but also put great stock in personal honor and cleverness. Garou who embody the Viking way, tend to flock to this tribe.

Glass Walkers

The merchants of the know world, glass walkers control much of human trade. Many Garou hold the opinion that Walkers serve the Wyrm. It is not, however, the case: Walkers do maintain unusually good relations with spirits, but serve only Gaia and police themselves against Wyrm corruption.

Bone Gnawers

The Gnawers are mangy dog-like Garou who live in the poorest, burnt out parts of the cities. They are seen as common criminals and beggars. However, the Gnawers are supremely informed about anything and everything that goes on within their cities. They live by the honor amoung thieves ideology.

Shadow Lords

The Lords consider themselves to be the only tribe fit to lead the Garou in these dark times. They are seen as ruthless, backstabbing and manipulative, which is very often the case. However, they have great tribal unity. The Lords tend to be deeply seeded in the politics of the world.

Silent Striders

Gypsies and vagabonds, the Striders originally hailed from Egypt and the Middle East. They are the messengers of the Garou and are always on the move. The Striders very rarely share their secrets yet conversely are also known for their skill at prophecy. Many seek out Striders for their expertise in assassination.

Silver Fangs

The ancestral leaders of the Garou, the Fangs are slowly rotting from within. By breeding with only the noblest of humans and by breeding with their own family members, they have bred weakness into their house. The rest of the Garou consider the Fangs doddering kings who should be overthrown. Younger Fangs have been trying to fix what's wrong with the tribe and bring in fresh blood, though they haven't had much success as of yet.

Stargazers

They are concerned with balance in all its forms, seeking for perfect harmony both within and without. They often lose themselves in philosophical thought however and most Garou think they spend too much time contemplating and not enough time acting. They walk alone and join packs only long enough to try and impart their wisdom to other Garou. They are the originators of Kailindo, the Garou martial art.

Uktena

The Uktena delve into the dark secrets of nature, and the Wyrm, but still work to destroy it. These mystics are often feared by other Garou who think they walk too close to evil. (This tribe pulls from a lot of native american culture, separating them from other existing users of magiks.)

The Rite of Passage

To officially become a recognized member of the race, one must complete the Rite of Passage. This is done before you join a tribe, and the rite is dictated by the tribe of choice. Most Garou complete the rite as a pup when making their transition to adulthood. A rite must be completed at a Moot, consisting of current standing Garou, and performed by a mystik of lupine decent.

Pick a tribe, and make it known that they wish to become Garou.
Create or achieve basic garb, following Belegarth Book of War standards.
Craft your own weapon of choice. If you arch, a single blue or legal dagger.
Make your own belt flag displaying your Tribe and Auspice.

The Bane of Gaia

How a Garou is marked with The Bane of Gaia is unique to each. What remains consistent however, is that each mark is formed through the consumption of human flesh. Wyrm tainted, these Garou care only for themselves, and their own personal gain. Twisted and ravenous, those touched by the great evil lose themselves, and eventually, their ability to phase into their homid form. Bound to their Crinos form, the Bane of Gaia are generally driven by a single great desire, often times the very motive of their corruption. Due to their ostracism from Garou society, these Garou tend to become the figment of nightmares, wandering the world sating their hunger. They are known to feast upon human and beast alike.

While many choose to walk alone, there are tribes available to the Bane of Gaia, in which they rally to in times of war.

Appearance

Some ways to physically identify a Garou are:

The Mark of The Litany, displayed on the cheek. Those who choose to follow Gaia bare the mark in black, on their right cheek. Those inflicted with the Bane of Gaia, wear it in red, on the left cheek.
A mantle of fur on the shoulders in your fur color of choice.
A tail, also in the fur color of choice.

Known Garou

Keebs
Demetri
Slag